Mechanobiology of Asymmetric Myelin Membranes at Multiple Length Scales

多长度尺度不对称髓磷脂膜的力学生物学

• 批准号: 1826250
• 负责人: Younjin Min
• 金额: $ 25.49万
• 依托单位: University of Akron
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2018
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2018-08-15 至 2020-02-29
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1826250&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Mechanobiology; Asymmetric; Myelin; Membranes; Multiple

Myelin is a specialized membrane that acts as an insulator for axons (the connecting structure of nerve cells) and that allows the nerve signals to be transmitted quickly throughout the body. Despite the importance of this membrane to healthy nerve function, little is known about the structural dynamics or the interactions between the various molecules in the membrane. Improving this understanding will open up new strategies to better understand myelin-related diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, and potentially engineer ways to repair or replace damaged myelin. In addition to this societal impact, the research team will host an art show themed around nano-patterns and nano-structures related to myelin membranes as well as disseminate the knowledge through new graduate-level courses and to the broader public through connections established with Akron-area high school teachers.It is hypothesized that relatively subtle changes in the composition of myelin lipids or proteins can significantly alter the phase behavior of the myelin system and the formation dynamics of lipid domains. These changes, in turn, lead to larger changes in membrane adhesion, rigidity, and integrity that can cause the myelin sheath to unravel and become dysfunctional. This hypothesis will be tested with advanced surface science techniques, including a surface force apparatus, a Langumuir trough coupled with fluorescence microscopy, and a streaming potential apparatus. The research will significantly advance the mechanistic understanding of how the lipids and proteins in the myelin membrane interact to affect the organization, fluidity, and rigidity of the myelin sheath.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

髓磷脂是一种特殊的膜，充当轴突（神经细胞的连接结构）的绝缘体，使神经信号能够快速传输到全身。 尽管这种膜对健康的神经功能很重要，但人们对膜中各种分子之间的结构动力学或相互作用知之甚少。 提高这种认识将开辟新的策略，以更好地了解与髓磷脂相关的疾病，例如多发性硬化症，并有可能设计修复或替换受损髓磷脂的方法。 除了这种社会影响之外，研究团队还将举办一场以与髓磷脂膜相关的纳米图案和纳米结构为主题的艺术展，并通过新的研究生水平课程传播知识，并通过与阿克伦建立的联系向更广泛的公众传播知识-地区高中教师。假设髓磷脂脂质或蛋白质组成的相对微妙的变化可以显着改变髓磷脂系统的相行为和脂质域的形成动力学。 这些变化反过来会导致膜粘附、刚性和完整性发生更大的变化，从而导致髓鞘解开并出现功能障碍。 这一假设将通过先进的表面科学技术进行测试，包括表面力装置、与荧光显微镜相结合的朗古缪尔槽和流动电位装置。 该研究将显着推进对髓磷脂膜中的脂质和蛋白质如何相互作用以影响髓鞘的组织、流动性和刚性的机制的理解。该奖项反映了 NSF 的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准。